Levi hurt inside for the first time in forever. It wasn't just his ribs, it was his heart. He'd never seen Erwin this upset before, and that pained him. Maybe, he thought, I could try to comfort him, like he's done to me when I felt low. Not making any promises that it'll have an impact though...

He began crawling to where Erwin kneeled, making him look up. For once, Levi couldn't read Erwin's eyes. Did he want him to stay put, or was he happy for the company? Levi wasn't sure. Erwin didn't do anything to stop him from moving, so Levi guessed he didn't care.

"Erwin. You're not a coward for watching him die," Levi grunted as he reached Erwin's side, holding his ribs in agony. "You couldn't do anything. I'm guessing your body just froze."

Erwin sighed, rubbing his eyes and face.

"You're wrong. There was something I could do, but I just didn't do it in time. He obviously meant something to you, because like I said, you let him in. You didn't care when he talked to you. You'd happily let him stay in the room with you while you were healing. You talked with him before he left, apparently. If he didn't mean anything to you, you would not have let him talk to you as often as you did. You don't even let Hange talk to you that long and that often without insulting them at least three times. I sent you and your friends on that expedition that day, and when they died I insulted them for being too weak. They died because of my plan and my foolish decision not to head back when the weather got worse. I got them killed. And I left Webber for dead, too. I'm a man who kills. Not directly, maybe, but the amount of blood on my hands is growing by the day, and the responsibility of everyone's deaths on my shoulders are making them ache. However, none of this can compare to the amount of pain I feel when I realise I've taken someone you care for away from you."

Levi sat, bewildered. He couldn't believe this was how Erwin felt. He hated the burden of leadership put upon him. He hated sending people to their deaths, even if it was for the good of humanity. He hated hurting Levi by killing off people he cared about. From all this, someone might even presume he hated being a soldier in general. In that moment, Levi felt sorry for him.

"You don't have to apologise or feel bad, Erwin. We've been fighting this battle for nearly 100 years. No one wants to make the sacrifices, but you do. You are the only man here willing to make those choices. Don't regret them." Levi hesitantly put his head on Erwin's shoulder, thinking he needed it. Erwin, for a brief moment, felt that familiar warm feeling flow through him again. The moment was perfect, but it had to be ruined.

"I'm a selfish man." Erwin spoke, startling Levi.

"I thought I told you to get over it!" Levi groaned, taking his head off his shoulder. Erwin turned his head slightly to stare into Levi's eyes while they were still calm.

"I'm a selfish man," Erwin repeated, moving his head back and taking his eyes off of Levi. "I send soldier after soldier to their deaths, all to peruse a stupid dream to learn about the world outside the walls, and to avenge my father. If I set my eyes on a goal or something I want, I'll do anything to make it happen."

"That's not true, Erwin. You know it isn't. You're one of the most selfless people.."

"Stop the bullshit, Levi." Erwin cut him off before Levi had a chance to tell him how much he respected him. "What I'm trying to say is that it's these selfish acts that is going to make you mad at me, and I beg that you don't argue about this." Erwin inhaled sharply.

"I don't want you to go on any expeditions ever again. I can't lose you too."

•=•=•=•

By the time Hange had arrived and had come upstairs, they found Levi sprawled out on the floor, his eyes red from crying and his body unable to move on its own. He was in immense pain: not just physically, but emotionally; Erwin's words to him had hurt.

I can't lose you too...you're better off here, where you'll be safe and less reckless...I'm doing it for your own good...

"Levi?! Levi what happened?!" Hange rushed to his side, and held Levi's hand in theirs.

"Erwin told me...I can't go on missions ever again. He pretty much told me I was a burden." Levi explained, stretching the truth a bit. Erwin never said he was a burden, but his words made Levi feel useless. As if he was no more than a mere pawn that Erwin controlled.

"I'm sure he didn't mean it that way. It's Erwin after all." Hange tried to lighted up the atmosphere, but it didn't work. Levi just nodded and lay on the wooden floor, his rage from his argument with Erwin subsiding, and was replaced with sadness. The one person who presumably loved him didn't want him around. Levi didn't know much about the subject, but that didn't sound like love to him.